The SUN HK : Filipina rewarded with golden trophy for being ‘great helper’

12 November 2023

Judy with her young ward and the gold trophy that made her cry

How do you know you did your job well?

For many domestic workers, a smile, a caring question or an inexpensive gift from their employer would be enough to wipe away all exhaustion from a hard day’s toil, or longing for the loved ones they left behind.

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But for Judea Danglas, the reward was totally unexpected, and profoundly heartwarming.

Yesterday, her employers of four years asked her to join them for lunch, and she thought it would just be one of the simple meals she had shared with them in the past.

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But to her surprise she was taken to the pricey revolving restaurant at Hopewell Centre in Wanchai and even better, was presented with an unusual and definitely, special gift. A golden trophy no less, inscribed with her name, along with “Great Helper Award.”

Hours after the surprise, Judea or Judy still couldn’t get over it.

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“Speechless ako kanina. Friend ko man ang amo kong babae pero wala akong masabi bigla. Paulit-ulit lang akong nagpasalamat sa kanila, sabay iyak. Sabi ni amo kong babae, no need to cry.’’

(“I was speechless earlier today. Even if I am friends with my female employer, I became speechless. I just kept saying thank you to them while crying. My female employer said, no need to cry.”)

Judy gets the 'Great Helper Award' from her employers of 4 years

Judy is even more overwhelmed because it is she who has opted not to renew her contract anymore as she has decided to go home for good to start a family. She has already found them a replacement and is happy that her employers have found her suitable, so she will start working with them on Nov. 26, ten days before Judy leaves.

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Judy says her heart is full and cannot ask for anything more, when asked if she was also looking forward to getting a monetary reward from her grateful employers before she leaves. She recalls they have always been generous, paying her more than the minimum wage, and even giving her an extra month's salary when she renewed her contract.

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As she looks forward to resettling back in the Philippines, Judy will be leaving a part of her heart behind. After all, she was the one who raised her younger ward from the time he was born until now that he’s almost four years old. Even more importantly, she found a family that cared as much for her as she did for them.